Rhino horn auction to go ahead in South Africa after court lifts ban on sales
Breeder John Hume to take advantage of court ruling lift ban on domestic trade to sell horns trimmed from the 1,500 rhinos on his ranch A rhino breeder in South Africa is planning an online auction of rhino horns to capitalise on a court ruling that opened the way to domestic trade despite an international […]
Hong Kong launches bill to ban domestic ivory trade
The move follows demonstrations in the city and the decision by China to ban their own trade Hong Kong has launched a landmark bill to ban its domestic ivory trade, amid accusations that authorities were lagging behind China in phasing out the market. Hong Kong is home to the world’s biggest retail ivory market, with […]
Hundreds of US mayors to vote on switch to renewable energy by 2035
Leaders from more than 250 cities gathered at the US Conference of Mayors in Miami Beach to vote on a resolution to reach a 100% clean energy goal Mayors meeting in Florida are considering an ambitious commitment to have US city governments run entirely on renewable sources such as wind and solar by 2035. Related: […]
Hard Brexit could halt Heathrow expansion plans, says Lord Adonis
National Infrastructure Commission chair says UK must maintain ties with EU to save key projects such as third runway and HS2 A hard Brexit would be a “calamity” that would spell the end for the Heathrow expansion, according to the chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission. While the airport has argued that Brexit makes its […]
Smart meter rollout could force household bills to rise, says supplier
Energy company warns rising cost of installations due to ‘customer apathy’ could prompt suppliers to increase tariffs Energy suppliers face rising costs for putting smart meters in millions of homes, adding pressure on firms to raise household bills further next year. Fitting the meters, which automate readings and must be installed in every home and […]
Changing the course of history for Kenya's wildlife
Kenya’s wildlife numbers are plummeting. Reconnecting people to nature is key to the solution. On May 31st Kenya celebrated the inauguration of the first phase of the new high-speed rail link from Mombasa to Nairobi. Now Kenyans can travel between the two largest cities quickly and cheaply. Accelerated movement of cargo and people will mean […]
Great Barrier Reef valued at $56bn as report warns it's 'too big to fail'
Deloitte Access Economics report says reef underpins 64,000 jobs and contributes $6.4bn to economy each year A new report has valued the Great Barrier Reef at $56bn and warns of vast economic consequences for Australia unless more is done to protect it. The Deloitte Access Economics report says the world heritage-listed reef underpins 64,000 direct […]
The return of the giant hogweed: Country diary 100 years ago
Originally published in the Guardian on 1 July 1967 MACHYNLLETH: When a friend wrote recently and added a PS, “How’s that plant?” I knew that he meant the giant hogweed I described in this diary a year ago and which brought in more letters than anything I have ever mentioned. Last year’s plants duly disappeared […]
Blue shark captured after Mallorca beach panic
Shark was first spotted close to beaches at Cala Major and Can Pastilla, then discovered to have serious head wound A blue shark whose presence in shallow waters off the coast of Mallorca caused panic over the weekend and led to the evacuation of beaches on the Balearic island, has been captured. The animal was […]
As Trump moves to privatize America's national parks, visitor costs may rise
Some are concerned that the proposed privatization of some public park services would drive up costs for visitors and fail to raise enough for repairs America’s national parks need a staggering $11.5bn worth of overdue road and infrastructure repairs. But with the proposed National Park Service budget slashed by almost $400m, the Trump administration says […]